Abaya Cloak
Not on view
The abaya (cloak) is a unisex type of garment, perhaps the most characteristic garment in the Arab world. Wealthy Bedouin and people living in cities and villages commissioned ornate silk abayas (cloaks) from workshops in Aleppo and Damascus for weddings and ceremonies or as diplomatic gifts for high-ranking officials. Sophisticated abayas often feature special motifs centered on the wearer’s back, which most likely convey symbolic meanings, such as protective powers, or perhaps reflect the wearer’s socio-religious identity. Syrian abayas were worn by different social groups in Syria and beyond and were considered one of the most characteristic and fashionable garments of Arab dress.
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